When you’re in a car accident, the last thing you want to worry about is whether or not your insurance company will give you a fair shake. Unfortunately, that’s often exactly what happens. Insurance companies are making money, and they do that by paying out as little as possible on claims. Every insurance company follows these 3Ds in a car accident claim.
1. Delay
The first thing insurance companies do when they receive a claim is delay. They know that the longer they can put off paying out, the more likely the claimant will give up or accept a lower settlement. Insurance adjusters are trained to stall claimants with promises of further investigation or requests for additional information.
Some of the delay tactics they use include reassigning your case, ignoring your calls, or delaying disbursing your settlement. The insurance company may reassign your case to a different adjuster or supervisor, making it difficult to get in touch with someone who can give you an update on your claim. You may also realize that the insurance company is no longer returning your calls or is taking them much longer to respond to your inquiries. If you know how insurance companies work, you will be in a good position to follow up on your claim and keep the pressure on. You can also click here to learn more about insurance company claim process.
2. Deny
The second thing insurance companies do is deny claims outright. In many cases, the insurance company will try to lowball the claimant by offering a much lower settlement than what they are entitled to. If the claimant does not have an attorney, they may not even be aware of the full extent of their injuries or the long-term effects of the accident. They may accept this lowball offer without realizing they are entitled to much more.
In other cases, the insurance company may outright deny the claim. This can be frustrating and overwhelming for claimants, who are often left feeling like they have nowhere to turn. If your insurance company has denied your claim, it is important to speak with an experienced car accident attorney who can help you understand your rights and options.
3. Defend
The third thing insurance companies do is defend their position. Even if the claimant has a strong case, the insurance company will often try to point the finger at someone else to avoid paying out. In some cases, they may claim that the accident was not their fault. In other cases, they may blame the victim by claiming they did not have the proper insurance or were not wearing a seatbelt. The purpose of the defense tactic is to discourage claimants from pursuing their claim or to reduce the amount of money to which they are entitled.
Insurance companies use these 3Ds in every car accident claim. While it may seem unfair, it is important to remember that you have rights and options. If you find yourself in this situation, you must speak with an experienced car accident attorney who can help you navigate the insurance claims process and fight for the compensation you deserve.